The new EU guideline outlines procedures for verifying actual methane slip emissions from marine diesel engines. The verified emission factors may already be applied for the 2025 FuelEU Maritime reporting year and offer a strategic opportunity to positively impact compliance calculations – potentially lowering penalties and enhancing the financial viability of LNG-fuelled vessels. More about methane slip reporting and verification in this statutory news.
NEED TO KNOW
• New EU guideline for the reporting and verification of actual methane slip under the FuelEU and MRV/ETS frameworks.
• Shipowners can deviate from default emission factors if actual values are certified through approved procedures.
• Actual values for methane slip can significantly influence the total GHG emissions and thus the FuelEU compliance balance.
FuelEU Maritime, EU MRV/ETS and methane slip
FuelEU Maritime aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity in shipping by promoting renewable and low-carbon fuels. It sets progressive emission reduction targets for ships over 5,000 GT calling at EU ports, covering CO₂, methane and nitrous oxide on a well-to-wake basis. The first FuelEU Maritime reporting period begins in 2025 and includes the GHG impact of methane slip emissions. Given methane’s global warming potential – 25 times that of CO₂ – it is essential to assess the actual methane slip performance of installed engines.
Methane slip must also be reported under the EU MRV regulation, and starting in 2026, it will fall within the scope of EU ETS. Shipping companies will then need to surrender allowances not only for CO₂ emissions but also for methane and nitrous oxide. (....)